Surge sends OKC-area students home
Several districts return to remote learning as COVID infection rates soar
The Oklahoma State School Board's COVID-19 alert map shows 55 counties in its highest alert status based on infection rates. Those rates increased in 74 of Oklahoma's 77 counties over the past week.
Days after most students returned to the classroom for the first time since March, Oklahoma City Public Schools is sending them back home to learn for the remainder of the fall semester because of rising COVID-19 cases.
Several other school districts in the Oklahoma City metro area are following suit, including Edmond, Midwest City-Del City, Mustang, Yukon and Putnam City, their leaders reported Friday.
Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Sean McDaniel, citing an increase in C OVID -19 infections, announced that all students will return to remote learning beginning Monday in accordance with Red Alert Level protocols est ablished by the state Education Department (OSDE).
“As the number of COVID19 cases has steadily risen over the last several weeks, we reached a significant turning point for Oklahoma County,” McDaniel told families and staff Friday. “The increase in positive cases for Oklahoma County has moved us into the OSDE's Red Alert Level.”
“Our district and local health professionals are now advising that we review our instructional setting for our students and work environments for our employees. As previously stated, OKCPS is committed to making instructional changes for our district
upon reaching the OSDE Red Alert Level or if we saw a significant shift in some of our other data points. Although our health officials have continuously supported our Return to Campus plan, they now recommend that we transition to Red Alert Level protocols.”
Positive cases in Oklahoma County have more than doubled since last week, with the Oklahoma State Department of Health reporting 67.3 cases compared to 30.4 cases per 100,000 people.
“Based on this information and advice from public health officials, OKCPS will be moving back to full-time Remote Learning starting Monday, November 16th, and we will remain in the Remote Learning setting through the end of our first semester, which concludes on December 18,2020,” McDaniel said.
Edmond Public Schools Superintendent Br et Towne said the district will move forward with 100% distance learning at all sites beginning Monday and lasting through Nov. 30 unless infection rates continue to rise.
“In the last few days, we have experienced a significant spike in the number of staff absences at several schools due to COVID-19 positives and quarantines, making it extremely difficult to provide adequate instruction,” Towne said. “All across the district, employees are stretched to the breaking point, trying to cover classrooms and ensure adequate supervision of students.”
Also on Friday, Mustang Public Schools Superintendent Charles Bradley announced a return to distance learning for students beginning Monday after positive cases in Canadian County rose from 32.85 per 100,000 people last week to 60.97 this week.
Distance learning will remain in place until Dec. 4, which is a Friday, Bradley told families. “At that point, we will reevaluate the situation and determine next steps/possibilities for return for the District.”
Oklahoma' s rates of COVID -19 infections reached record highs this week, leaving hospital space at an all-time low for the pandemic. Other school districts in the metro area, which have taught in person for months, report hundreds of positive tests and quarantines every week among students and staff. Tuesday marked a new start for thousands of students in the Oklahoma City district. First through 12th graders returned to classrooms for the first time since March, while pre-K and kindergarten students already had four days of inperson classes.
The long-awaited Tuesday- Thursday and Wednesday-Friday class schedules began after the district started the school year Aug .31 in virtual learning.
The return to in-person learning was met with protests at Monday night's school board meeting — the board's first in-person meeting in months. About a dozen teachers held signs outside the new Clara Luper Center for Educational Services, 615 N Classen, to protest the plan. Eight spoke in the public comment portion of the meeting.
McDaniel said the teachers' safety concerns are valid. Staying in virtual learning would maintain the lowest risk of COVID19 exposure, he said at the meeting. But, students' struggles with academics, poor attendance and mental health also influence his decision making. The superintendent said he feared for students who suffer physical abuse, sexual abuse and food insecurity at home without typical school supports.